Bhagavad Gita 11.50 — Vasudeva Shows His Gentle Form and Consoles Arjuna
सञ्जय उवाच ।
इत्यर्जुनं वासुदेवस्तथोक्त्वा स्वकं रूपं दर्शयामास भूयः ।
आश्वासयामास च भीतमेनं भूत्वा पुनः सौम्यवपुर्महात्मा ॥ ११.५० ॥
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Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Arjuna, Vasudeva again showed His own form. The great-souled One, assuming again a gentle form, consoled the frightened Arjuna.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| iti | thus |
| arjunam | to Arjuna |
| vāsudevaḥ | Vasudeva (Krishna) |
| tathā | so |
| uktvā | having spoken |
| svakam | His own |
| rūpam | form |
| darśhayām āsa | showed |
| bhūyaḥ | again |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| āśhvāsayām āsa | consoled |
| cha | and |
| bhītam | frightened |
| enam | him |
| bhūtvā | having become |
| punaḥ | again |
| saumya-vapuḥ | of a gentle form |
| mahā-ātmā | the great-souled One |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| iti | thus | āśhvāsayām āsa | consoled |
| arjunam | to Arjuna | cha | and |
| vāsudevaḥ | Vasudeva (Krishna) | bhītam | frightened |
| tathā | so | enam | him |
| uktvā | having spoken | bhūtvā | having become |
| svakam | His own | punaḥ | again |
| rūpam | form | saumya-vapuḥ | of a gentle form |
| darśhayām āsa | showed | mahā-ātmā | the great-souled One |
| bhūyaḥ | again | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that after speaking to Arjuna, Vāsudeva showed his own form again. The great soul then took on a gentle appearance and comforted the frightened Arjuna.
Essence
The Lord Returns in Gentleness
Sañjaya, the narrator, describes how the Lord responds to Arjuna's prayer. The terrifying vision gives way to a form that soothes.
Ity arjunaṁ vāsudevas tathoktvā (having spoken thus to Arjuna, Vāsudeva): The name Vāsudeva reminds us of the Lord's human lineage as the son of Vasudeva. The cosmic being and the beloved friend are the same.
Svakaṁ rūpaṁ darśayām āsa bhūyaḥ (again showed his own form): The word svaka means his own. Traditional commentators understand that the Lord first showed the four-armed form Arjuna had asked for and then returned to his gentle, two-armed human appearance.
Āśvāsayām āsa ca bhītam enam (and comforted this frightened one): The verb āśvāsayām āsa means gave reassurance. The Lord does not merely change form; he actively comforts.
Bhūtvā punaḥ saumya-vapur mahātmā (the great Soul, becoming again gentle in form): The word saumya means mild and pleasant. The supreme Lord chooses to appear as a friend so that his devotee can feel safe.
The Lord's compassion: This verse reveals that the Lord's power and his tenderness are not opposed. He is capable of both, and uses each as the devotee needs.
Message for Everyday Life (Strength with Gentleness)
Be strong, but be gentle: True strength knows when to soften. Leaders, parents and teachers are most effective when they combine power with kindness.
Practical approach: When you hold authority or responsibility, check the tone in which you use it. Let people around you feel safe, not diminished.
The Lord Returns in Gentleness
Sañjaya, the narrator, describes how the Lord responds to Arjuna's prayer. The terrifying vision gives way to a form that soothes.
Ity arjunaṁ vāsudevas tathoktvā (having spoken thus to Arjuna, Vāsudeva): The name Vāsudeva reminds us of the Lord's human lineage as the son of Vasudeva. The cosmic being and the beloved friend are the same.
Svakaṁ rūpaṁ darśayām āsa bhūyaḥ (again showed his own form): The word svaka means his own. Traditional commentators understand that the Lord first showed the four-armed form Arjuna had asked for and then returned to his gentle, two-armed human appearance.
Āśvāsayām āsa ca bhītam enam (and comforted this frightened one): The verb āśvāsayām āsa means gave reassurance. The Lord does not merely change form; he actively comforts.
Bhūtvā punaḥ saumya-vapur mahātmā (the great Soul, becoming again gentle in form): The word saumya means mild and pleasant. The supreme Lord chooses to appear as a friend so that his devotee can feel safe.
The Lord's compassion: This verse reveals that the Lord's power and his tenderness are not opposed. He is capable of both, and uses each as the devotee needs.
Message for Everyday Life (Strength with Gentleness)
Be strong, but be gentle: True strength knows when to soften. Leaders, parents and teachers are most effective when they combine power with kindness.
Practical approach: When you hold authority or responsibility, check the tone in which you use it. Let people around you feel safe, not diminished.
Next Topic
Sañjaya has described the Lord's gentle return. In the next verse, Arjuna responds with relief, saying that seeing the Lord's calm, human form has restored his composure and his normal state of mind.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Gentleness is greatness in a soft form.
The frightened need a friend, not an argument.
Strength that soothes is rare.
Come back to what steadies you.
A gentle presence can say what words cannot.
Love notices who is afraid.
Calm follows kindness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is 'Vāsudeva' (Krishna, son of Vasudeva)?
What is meant by 'svakam rūpam' (His own form)?
What does 'āśhvāsayām āsa' (consoled) show?
What does 'saumya-vapuḥ' (gentle form) mean?
Why is He called 'mahātmā' (great-souled One) here?
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